RURAL SUPPORT
Pictured left to right: Kent Whaley, vice-chair of The Pas Tri-Community Foundation; Jill Wilkinson, chair of The Pas Tri-Community Foundation; Joan Brown, representative for The Pas Association for Human Development; and Darryl Shotton, representative for The Pas Association for Human Development. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PAS TRI-COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Living in an area surrounded by water always comes with safety concerns. The foundation has made it a pri- ority to ensure that every child can learn how to swim through in-school programs. “We focus our efforts on building up kids however we can. We try to let kids be kids and have some nor - malcy in their lives,” Dunnigan says. “Our foundation is probably one of the youngest — we are one of the newbies. It’s taken us a long time to get people together to see that this is an important step to building legacy and capacity.” Support has been coming from everyone at all levels, he adds. “We try to do good works here,” he says. “There are more great stories in Flin Flon, Dauphin and other communities giving back.” However, he notes that many community orga- nizations throughout the province face a dwindling membership so he encourages Manitobans to consider getting involved. “A lot of us are aging out — long at the tooth. Organi - zations like the Rotary, Kinsmen, Masons, legions all do wonderful things in the community they’re in,” he says. “What they need is the next generation of people who can be out working in service, giving to communi- ty, giving something back by joining and being part of that to assist their community.”
Driven by a shared commitment to making a lasting impact across the Tri-Community region — The Pas, the RM of Kelsey and Opaskwayak Cree Nation — The Pas Tri-Community Foundation Inc. has deep roots in the spirit of community collaboration and giving. The foundation, established in 2020, is part of a na- tional movement dedicated to strengthening commu - nities through local philanthropy. As a long-time resident of Clearwater Lake just out- side The Pas, board member Don Dunnigan is proud to be involved in giving back to the community he loves. “We’ve lived here since 1981,” Dunnigan says. “Our kids are born and raised here. We’ve been blessed by this community. It’s been good to us — why not support the next generation?” The Pas Tri-Community Foundation supports a broad range of charitable purposes that enhance the quality of life for residents of The Pas, the RM of Kelsey and Opaskwayak Cree Nation by providing funding and support for initiatives that relieve poverty, advance education and promote health and wellness. The foun- dation provides grants to organizations that support recreation and sport; foster arts, culture and heritage; encourage environmental stewardship; and enhance community infrastructure and public spaces. At the same time, The Pas Tri-Community Foun- dation provides grants to organizations that deliver programs and services for children, youth, families and seniors, while also promoting inclusion, accessibility and overall community connection.
To learn more about The Pas Tri-Community Foundation Inc., visit tptcf.ca.
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Manitoba
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